The preoperative consultation and examination is perhaps the most important interaction between patient and physician. Experience has shown that patients who undergo a formal preoperative consultation on a date separate from their surgery have better overall outcomes. This important process allows the surgeon to carefully assess the problem, evaluate the patient's health status, determine risk factors, educate the patient, and discuss the surgery in detail. The patient should likewise gain a realistic understanding of the proposed surgery, be informed of treatment options, and know what to expect in the perioperative period. The additional time to perform a preoperative evaluation is well compensated for by an improved patient-physician relationship and a reduction in surgical complications.